Roy Keane reveals Bruno Fernandes call after Manchester United captain’s ‘lie’ claim

Roy Keane has revealed he recently spoke directly with Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United captain publicly challenged comments the former midfielder made about him.

The disagreement emerged after Keane suggested on The Overlap that Fernandes appeared more focused on individual achievements than team success while approaching the Premier League assist record.

Fernandes later disputed the claim during an appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast, stating that Keane had effectively "lied" about the situation and expressing a desire to speak with the Manchester United legend directly.

That conversation has now taken place.

Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, Keane explained that Fernandes reached out personally following the media attention surrounding the disagreement.

The former Manchester United captain revealed the pair enjoyed what he described as a constructive and mature discussion.

"There was a reaction after what we said on the podcast a few weeks ago and he reached out to me and wanted a chat," Keane explained.

"I called him and we had a lovely chat."

The Irishman stressed that the discussion helped clear up misunderstandings that can sometimes emerge when opinions are shared publicly through television and podcasts.

"A lovely chat about a bit of everything, but it was nice because when we do podcasts or games, sometimes you think you say something afterwards and you communicate something and it doesn't come across properly."

Keane made it clear there is no lingering tension between the two figures.

In fact, he jokingly opened the discussion by suggesting Fernandes had apologised before quickly clarifying that the conversation was simply a positive exchange between two people connected by Manchester United.

"He apologised, I forgave him, no problem," Keane joked.

The former midfielder then emphasised the value of speaking directly rather than allowing media narratives to dominate the situation.

"We had a nice, mature conversation. It was lovely."

For Manchester United supporters, the exchange offers an interesting glimpse into how disagreements between former and current players can often be resolved away from public scrutiny.

The original debate centred around Fernandes' pursuit of the Premier League assists record and broader discussions regarding his leadership at Old Trafford.

Keane has frequently been one of Fernandes' biggest critics, often questioning aspects of the Portuguese international's captaincy and influence during difficult periods for Manchester United.

However, he has also acknowledged the midfielder's quality and importance to the team on numerous occasions.

Having followed the public discussion around Fernandes over recent seasons, it is clear he remains one of the most divisive figures among pundits despite consistently producing strong individual numbers.

This latest exchange suggests both men were keen to ensure their disagreement did not become something larger than it needed to be.

With the issue now seemingly settled, attention will return to football matters as Manchester United continue preparations for the new season.

Fernandes remains one of the club's most important players and will again be expected to lead the team both on and off the pitch. Meanwhile, Keane is likely to continue offering strong opinions on United's performances, as he has throughout his broadcasting career.

The conversation may not change Keane's future assessments of Fernandes, but it appears to have established a clearer understanding between two influential figures connected to the club.

Do you think Roy Keane is too critical of Bruno Fernandes, or does the Manchester United legend simply demand the standards he set during his own playing career?